The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-07-01
miscellaneous.
OUELLING A MUTINY.

Years ago the crews of the packe,-ships
which sailed between Liverpool aud New
York were noted for scamanship aud de-
gree of recKlcssness That developed into in
subOrdnnton. They were coughs" who
could stand the worst weather, food, usage,
and rum. They did not expect kind treat
ment, and seemed Indifferent to it, but dread
ed the belaying-pin and HEAVIER when welded
by a stalwart mate
Captain Samues tells in his interesting
book, "From the Forecastle to the Cabin"
how lie put down mutiny on the Dread
nOugM organized by number of his crew
known as the "Bloody Forties." They had
sworn an oath TO clip the wings of the ship,
and give the skipper swim.
When tue ship was ready to sail, Captain
Samuels said to the crew Men, you know
the rules Of the ship. Pass the carpenter
shop, aud have the ends of your knives
broken"
They obeyed, but grumbled, loudly. "Lay
aft here, all hands" ordered the Captain.
They came in an insolent manner.
Men," said he, II noticed your coming aft
just now. The manner is insulting, and you
know it. Finnigan, you and Casey have sailed
with me before, and therefore know me. l
know you to be the ringleaders of the
Bloody Forties,' thirty of whom see before
me now. | know that you have banded
yourselves with an oath to have your own
way in the ship. do not fear you. | think
| can teach you lesson that will last you
through life. Stand where you are while the
officers search for hidden weapons"
The officers searched The wndlass was
then manned, and the anchor hove up. The
ship began her voyage, and in day or two
the movements of the men showed that trou-
BILE was brewing.
The man at the wheel was handcuffed and
put in the after-house for disobedience, draw
ing knife, and impertinence. The second
mate took the wheel, and orders were given
to turn to, and haul taut the weather main
brace" The crew came aft, without obeying
the order, and demanded the mans release.
From this time, men, you shall see who is
master. Again repeat, haul taut the wea-
ther main-brace. The refusal to obey an or
der given places you in mutiny."
Not man moved. When the captain
turned to go into his cabin TO arm himself,
the crew ran forward. The captain came out
and went forward, accompanied only by his
dog.
AS he advanced 10 the end of the house,
the crew, with yell, rushed at him with
their knives. With pistol in each hand,
pointed at the heads of the men nearest, the
captain stood immovable, determined to show
them the superiority of moral courage to
brute force. Not man came nearer than
twelve feet from him.
"Men, you have found your MASTER" said
he, but they would not listen to him. He
turned to go back. With yell they made q
rush towards HIM, to be stopped by the levell
ed pistols, and the warning: "The first man
that advances another step dies"
g,
with the men. Their yells and language were
terrible. "You shall neither eat nor drink
until you return to duty" said the captain.
"Let's kill the old devil now" they cried !;
"shoot shoot shoot -
II would if feared you," answered the
captain, "but prefer teaching you a lesson"
All that day the vessels sails had to be set
and taken in by the officers, who also relieved
one another at the wheel every two hours.
The next morning the men said they would
work if they got their breakfast.
"You shall work before you eat" was the
captains reply.
Some Of the male emigranl passengers
threatened to give the crew food. The cap.
tain put one of them in irons, and the rest
were cowed.
Fifty-six hours passed without sleep aft, or
food forward. The captain that night talked
WIN thC Scihihn5j VIM WOiC Oh
from the other passengers, some of whom
had been in the army. "Order US, captain,
and we will obey" said they, and seventeen
brave fellows were armed with iron bars.
That night two of the mutineers crept aft,
and asked forgiveness, saying two others
were ready TO Join them. One of them was
stationed at the wheel. The Germans were
brought on deck. The pig-pen was placed
across the port side as barricade, and four
men put behind it. The others were placed
on the top of the house to prevent the crew
from surrounding the captain.
The captain, just before four O'Clock In the
morning, went forward accompanied by his
dog, Wallace. The dog growled as he
jumped from behind, knives in hand. The
dog jumped at the throat of one, and point
ed pistol sent the other back to the forecastle
scuttle, while his companion yelled;
Jump up, boys! We've got him Let's
murder him now"
They rushed on deck some started TO 20
around, and Others to Chamber over the house
The Germans felled them with their iron bars.
On this they retreated forward. death to
the first man who dares advance will give
you one minute to throw overheard your
knives" shouted Captain Samuels.
"Well, boys, it is no use," said one of the
men. "He Is too much for US. Here goes
mine." With that one knife after the other
went spinning overheard to leeward.
"Finnigan, you are the leader of this gang,
and the bully of the forecastle," said the cap
tain. "Ask my pardon at once"
II never will"
The captain knocked him down into the
forecastle, in front of which he had been
standing. The captain then shouted, "Men,
you are to jump when spoken to, and In.
stead OF walking are TO run to obey orders.
The last order l gave you, which yoU dis